Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have, both as a private individual and as a representative of the joint committee on occasions, dealt directly with the embassies, which are wonderful. The quality of Ireland's embassy staff is second to none. They are liked, they interact wonderfully and do a great job for Ireland. The problem is that there are too few of them. As the Tánaiste is aware, the joint committee regularly meets visiting delegations and the ambassadors. There have been pleas for embassy representation and one country has been mentioned here in this regard, namely, Croatia. However, the good news is the joint committee is planning to visit Iran and India in the near future. Whatever about the Vatican, Iran is in the centre of a region that has 800 million people. Markets can be developed, as can international foreign policy and we can influence the region if we open an embassy there. I note it already has been closed but given the way Iran is opening up, this is coming down the line. The question then focuses on trade. I believe Ireland has missed out by being very traditional in where its embassies have been located, that is, in traditional African countries, some French-speaking, some English-speaking. Members are almost embarrassed when dealing with embassy officials who tell them of huge potential markets of 126 million people or 80 million people and I do not believe we have really tapped into them as yet.

As for the diaspora, I have a suggestion. As a politician, it is an embarrassment for me to know the embassies of some countries, about which we always are talking in a negative way, perhaps Ukraine, Romania or Bulgaria, open their door for their expatriates to vote. As a sophisticated First World country, Ireland has not got that far yet. The Seanad is sitting in a state of semi-suspension upstairs and perhaps consideration -----